Yale University Commits $10 million Toward HBCU Partnerships

Yale University issued a formal apology three weeks ago regarding its historical ties to slavery. In response, the university has pledged $10 million towards an initiative that aims to expand collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities.

Two Black Scholars Selected for Deanships

The new deans are Royce Burnett at Morgan State University in Baltimore and Pamela Moye at Mercer University in Georgia.

University of Illinois Professor Ruby Mendenhall Named Poet Laureate

Dr. Mendenhall currently serves as the Kathryn Lee Baynes Dallenbach Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she teaches sociology, African American studies, and urban and regional planning.

Aondover Tarhule Appointed President of Illinois State University

"Under my leadership, Illinois State will remain visible, engaged, and a collaborative partner committed to improving the quality of life and enhancing the sense of belonging for everyone in our community," said Dr. Aondover Tarhule, the new president of Illinois State University.

John K. Pierre Named Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College

Since 1990, Pierre has served in faculty and administrative roles at Southern University Law Center. Since 2016, he has been chancellor of the Southern University Law Center and was named interim executive vice president of the Southern Universty System in 2023.

Tracy Cook Appointed Twenty-First President of Alcorn State University in Mississippi

“I am honored to have the trust and support of the Board of Trustees, and excited to officially lead a university that has meant so much to me personally and professionally,” Dr. Cook said. “We have a bright future ahead of us and I am committed to leading us all toward new levels of success.”

Amelia Parnell Named President of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

"NASPA is well-positioned to advocate for student affairs professionals around the world and, by doing so, we can demonstrate our commitment to student success and the association’s vision for fulfilling the promise of higher education," said Dr. Parnell.

Three Black Women Appointed Deans of University Law Schools

The new law school deans are Marcilynn Burke at Tulane University in New Orleans, LaVonda Reed at the University of Baltimore, and Franita Tolson at the University of Southern California.

Buffalo State University Rescinds Appointment of Chance Glenn as President

Chance Glenn's appointment as president of Buffalo State University has been rescinded following recent ethical concerns raised by faculty from his most recent employer, the University of Houston Victoria. Buffalo State's interim president, Bonita Durand, will retain her interim appointment through the 2025-2026 academic year.

Marcheta P. Evans Named First Black Woman President of St. Catherine University in Minnesota

Dr. Evan's appointment as president of St. Catherine University is the second time she has been named the first African American president of a higher education institution. She previously served as the first woman and first Black president of Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

Lawrence P. Ward Named Seventh President of the University of Hartford

“In my experience, leading with personal authenticity and humility, as well as with vision and strategy, builds credibility, increases trust, and strengthens people’s willingness to work well together," said Dr. Ward. "That’s how I will approach my presidency at UHart."

Clayton State University Selects Corrie Fountain to Serve as Interim Provost

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Clayton State in this interim capacity, and I hope that my contributions will aid in the success of its students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Fountain, currently the associate provost for faculty affairs at Georgia State University.

Christopher Span Appointed Dean of Rutgers University Graduate School of Education

Dr. Span, professor of education policy, organization, and leadership at the University of Illinois, is a scholar of African American educational history. He has experience in both academic and administrative leadership positions.

Austin Agho to Transition from Old Dominion University Provost to Chief Integration Officer

Dr. Agho will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president and chief integration officer for Old Dominion University on July 1. Over the next two years, he will oversee the university's merger with Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Kamau Siwatu to Lead the Texas Tech University College of Education

Dr. Siwatu is a professor of educational psychology who has taught at Texas Tech University for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, he was appointed interim associate dean for academic affairs.

Josie Brown Named Dean of University of Hartford College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Brown currently serves as a professor of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Point Park University, where she has taught courses on African American, Caribbean, and Ethnic American literature for the past two decades.

Cherrise Jones-Branch Named Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication at Arkansas...

Dr. Jones-Branch has been serving as dean of the Graduate School and the James E. and Wanda Lee Vaughn Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences. She has been a faculty member with Arkansas State University for more than two decades.

Southern Illinois University Promotes Marc Morris to Dean of the College of Business and...

After serving as interim dean for nearly a year and half, Dr. Morris has been selected to serve as permanent dean of the College of Business and Analytics at Southern Illinois University. He has been a faculty member with the university for two decades.

Twinette Johnson Named Dean of the Saint Louis University School of Law

Dr. Johnson's new appointment marks a return to Saint Louis University, where she first began her career in academia as an associate professor of legal writing. She will assume her new position as dean of the School of Law on July 1.

James Crawford Named Sole Finalist for President of Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University has named James W. Crawford as the sole finalist for president. He has spent the past two years as president of Felician University in New Jersey and has over 30 years of service in the United States Navy.

Ruth Ray Jackson Named the Seventeenth President of Langston University in Oklahoma

After serving as interim president for the past year, Ruth Ray Jackson has officially been appointed president of historically Black Langston University in Oklahoma. She has held faculty and administrative roles with the university for the past decade.

Adler University Selects Lisa Coleman as President

Dr. Coleman currently serves as the inaugural senior vice president for global inclusion and strategic innovation at New York University. She will assume the presidency of Adler University in September.

Cyndee Landrum Appointed Leader of the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Cyndee Landrum, who has over two decades of experience in public library leadership, will serve as acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services until a new director is nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate.

Five Black Scholars Receive Dean Appointments

The new deans are Carolyn Gentle-Genitty at Butler University, Karen Thomas-Brown at Washington State University, Arwin Smallwood at North Carolina Central University, Suzanne Burke Lehman at St. Catherine University, and Stephanie Luster-Teasley Pass at North Carolina A&T State University.

Daphne Lamothe Promoted to Provost of Smith College in Massachusetts

Dr. Lamothe has taught Africana studies, women's and gender studies, and American studies at Smith College for two decades. She will assume the college's chief academic position on July 1.

University of Nebraska’s Kwame Dawes Appointed Poet Laureate of Jamaica

Dr. Dawes has authored dozens of poetry books, novels, and works of nonfiction. He currently serves as the George Holmes Professor of English and the Gleanna Luchesi Editor of Prairie Schooner, a literary magazine housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tia Minnis Named Provost at Virginia State University

After holding the position on an interim basis for the past year, Dr. Minnis has been selected as the permanent provost and vice president for academic affairs at Virginia State University. She has worked for the historically Black university for the past seven years.

Laurence Alexander Named Chancellor of the University of Michigan Flint

Dr. Alexander brings more than three decades of experience in higher education leadership to his new role as chancellor of the University of Michigan Flint. He currently serves as chancellor of University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Christon Arthur Named First Black President of La Sierra University in California

Upon assuming his new role on July 1, Dr. Arthur will become the first Black president of La Sierra University. He has served as provost of Andrews University in Michigan for the past eight years.

Jennifer Wallace Elected President of the Association of Teacher Educators

Dr. Wallace's appointment makes her the first alumna and employee of a historically Black college or university to serve as the association's president. She is an alumna of both Alcorn State University and Jackson State University, where she currently teaches in the College of Education.

Tyrone Jackson Appointed President of Southeast Arkansas College

Currently, Dr. Jackson serves as president of Mississippi Delta Community College. He has over three decades of experience in higher education, previously holding leadership positions with Delta State University, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and Hinds Community College.

Ronald S. Rochon Named President of California State University, Fullerton

Dr. Rochon has been serving as president of the University of Southern Indiana, where he has worked for the past 14 years. Prior to his promotion to president in 2018, he served as the university's provost for eight years.

Beverly Walker-Griffea to Lead the Department of Lifelong Education in Michigan

Dr. Walker-Griffea has been serving as the first woman and first African American president of Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. She has significant experience in community college leadership, having held academic and administrative posts at schools across the country.

Mark Brown to Be the First Alumnus to Serve as President of Tuskegee University...

On July 1, Dr. Mark Brown will assume the presidency of his undergraduate alma mater, Tuskegee University in Alabama, making him the first alumnus to serve in the position. He currently serves as the inaugural president and CEO of the Student Freedom Initiative.

Betty Stewart Appointed Executive Vice President and Provost of Hampton University

“I hope to cultivate a culture of care and support within our university community, advocating for the success and happiness of students, faculty, and staff alike,” said Dr. Stewart. She will assume her position as provost of Hampton University on July 1.

Prairie View A&M University Selects Aashir Nasim for Senior Vice President and Provost

Dr. Nasim has spent the past 15 years with Virginia Commonwealth University, currently serving as vice president and senior advisor to the president, as well as a full professor of psychology and African American studies.

Breaking News